NationStates Jolt Archive

Standing on the deck of the utmost highest point on the Isle, Riddick looked out to the East as the fair wind played gently through his hair. And if it had not been known already, it would have been now - thunder and lightening could be seen and heard from the horizon. In the meantime, dusk would slowly fade to night, and the darkness would spread its terrors across the very foundations of Haven, this region. Not anything like those spread, all those years ago - mind you. It had been a time when the Region was seeming to prosper for one of the first times. It had been at a time when the Region was finally stable, was finally under the control of sanity. And then they came. Spreading lies, fear, terror across the lands of Edolia. Those lands were vital to the safety of the region, for it was the Scarlet Empire - now fallen - which had set the precedent for all to follow. And my, it had been strong.

"You are troubled," interrupted a woman's voice from behind him, softer than the wind itself.

Riddick spun around on his axis to meet this new person, recognising, "For the first time in my life, I fear."

Thunder rumbled in the distance, now behind him, "But there is nothing to fear. Prussians, they wont even be ready..."

"No..." he replied, hanging his head to his feet below, "But once a strike is made, I cannot reverse it."

She frowned, feeling just an inkling of what he must have been, "Come inside, you're getting wet. Besides, you can worry about these things later. Let us rest for now."

Riddick grudgingly followed, picking himself up for the time being. He would go to bed indeed, although it was more than debatable at how much he could truly sleep. War was looming, and the fate of both himself - and perhaps millions of people, were upon his shoulders. Unfortunate, but of course the weight almost every leader had felt during his time.

~~ ~~ Later ~~ ~~

From what had turned into a calming breeze, the storm which could have been seen in the distance was now in a state of uproar, even particularly over the Isle. Perhaps it was an Omen, perhaps not. In the meantime, as predicted - Riddick lie awake among his sheets beside his wife and future mother of his childern. Children that might not ever exist. From his eyes, shed a single tear before he managed to stengthen himself. Time for a walk, afterall, not many Generals operated under a state of fear, of terror himself. It was these successful, these select group of generals whom had been shielded from the bloody nightmare of war itself. Until war was but a map with but a few mindless, soul-less pieces upon it. Minds were not created for war.

But still, he must have courage. And thus instead of turning himself into a impaled wreck - put on his belt and shoes. Lightening flashed, and he continued down the long winding staircase - its bare metal skeloten highlighted as he clambered. He tripped, and stumbled, and without uttering a curse continued downwards. It would be a long trip, more painful should he fall to his death. And yet that would hardly be the honorable way to be, but a crumbled heap of flesh and blood on the marble floors below. Soon in the meantime, he had reached it. His nemesis.

"I am shocked that you even chose to call," greeted the figure, kept dark via his long sleek coat.

Riddick kept his head lowered, avoiding his eye contact, "As shocked am I"

There was a long pause of silence, the only sound being uttered by the pitter pat of raindrops outside, and the forming puddle by the man's feet. This night streched long, but thin if they wasted too much time.

"I assume this regards the Prussians?" said the man, revealing a thin smile across his lips.

Riddick nodded, "But of course. I wouldnt call upon you in other circumstances."

"Agreed," replied the figure. "Then I will contact you in a few nights time."

Turning and leaving to the outside, he chuckled, "Try not to fall."

Behind him, the main door crashed shut and Riddick was now again alone. Looking upwards, he watched as the spiraled tower began to spin, spin, and blur. Sleep was for the weak, but even the strongest were but at its mercy. And upwards, his wife would never have heard him crumble under his weight, and fall into the darkness which so many men had feared. Soon he would wake, but not before sunrise - one day closer to this Island's fate.

{Open Transmission}
{TRANSMISSION TYPE: Military, Secure Channels}
{FROM: Lord Commander Riddick, Isle of the Ravenspire}
{TO: Field Marshall Alissa May, Hogsweat}
{SUBJECT: Time's Running Short for the Prussians}

Heil. I am contacting you on an extreme matter of secrecy, of which must be kept only for the highest and secure ears only. I have been informed by my various intelligence resources that you have been itching for the chance to come up against the forces of Prussia in Edolia for some time, hence so have I. I am rather dissapointed actually that the first defense of Edolia had failed, and now the Scarlet Empire has fallen under the ruthless hold of these oppressive, occupying forces. But I believe that time must be running short for these brutal Prussians, for it is now our duty as neighbours to liberate the Edolians from Prussian oppression. They will be given back their state, and will once again have to opportunity to be ruled via a new Edolian leader, rather than one foriegn to those lands.

Please, respond to this message as quickly as possible, on these channels I have sent my own. They are completely secure from unwanted ears, for I know the Prussians will have been listening.

By the Blade,

Riddick von Hanskoff
Isle of the Ravenspire
{Close Transmission}

BEGINSIGNAL

FROM: Army HQ, Edinburgh, Field Marshall Alissa May
TO: Lord Commander Riddick, Isle of the Ravenspire
RE: Time is running short for the Prussians

Hello,
You have my esteemed word that this will be between us only. I do believe one does not require intelligence to note that we are spoiling for a fight with the Prussians, despite the traitorous actions of our previous government. It is indeed unfortunate that the Edolians were overrun, especially concerning the Doujin Battleships that are now in possession of the Prussians. However, this can be dealt with at a later date. Our people are ready and our guns are itching to fire. Should the opportunity come we will send the Prussian dogs back to hell and off the shores of fair Haven. I request that we meet informally to discuss our capabilities: wherever I move formally the media is on my tail. This must be kept absolutely secret.

~Godspeed for the Motherland
Field Marshall Alissa May
ENDSIGNAL

OOC: Sorry in advance for the bad post.

It was nearly a week until the 50th anniversary of the declaration of Empire by Emperor Viktor I. Napoleon had decided that he would give the Edolians a present on the occasion of that great anniversary.

In non-Prussian Edolia as well as the parts under the control of the Greater Prussian Empire many changes had taken place.

OOC: I hadn't had the chance to RP this out in a thread. I will do it in summary form. If it is in bad form, then I will delete it and see what I can do from there.

Duke Karl von Blatterschpitt III, the head of the Blattershpitt house, the former Royal family of Edolia, had returned from exhile and immediately began a campaign to revive the spirits of the Edolian people. It was clear that the Socialist Empire would never rise again, so Duke Karl took the duty to himself to give Edolians something to be Patriotic about. The more moderate interim government in Edolia proper turned a blind eye which Duke Karl formed his own private Army. The Edolian Military was being recreated.

Some of the old guard balked at the return of Royalist influence, but many welcomed it with open arms as the stunning defeat of the Scarlet Empire had proved to them that many of the old ideas they held near were perhaps not as universally correct as they had once thought. Just as some Russians seemed to wish for a return to Czarism in the aftermath of the Collapse of the Soviet Union, so too did some Edolians welcome Duke Karl.

Before the collapse of the Empire, its leaders had been transitioning the country towards a moderate version of Capitalism. Duke Karl's Royalist Party in the North and Napoleon's interim government in the North continued the transition.

The pace was slow and many of the old Socialist infrastructures and leaders remained in place. One could not hope to build Rome in a day. The main changes were that all personal freedoms were unequivocably established...especially freedom of religion and freedom of speech. The average Edolian would notice a large shift in momentum in the government, but many of the factors of life were still recognizable. Private businesses began to open and enterprising Edolians soon began to do quite well as Napoleon arranged to purchase large quantities of Edolian goods to fuel the economy.

There was still an element that screamed defiance at any Prussian presence or changes as there would always be, but the military, the youth, and those who sought better for themselves in life seemed to grow more increasingly appreciative of the huge amount of money and effort being poured into Edolia by the Empire.

Duke Karl was a moderate. He was far less conservative than Napoleon, but more so than the previous government. He was palatable to almost every type of Edolian...and furthermore he gave them license to dream again, license to love their country. It was little surprise then, when the elections were finally held that Karl's Royalist party swept the elections. The freely and fairly elected Parliament then began making preparations for the founding of a Constitutional Monarchy. Freedom of Speech, Press, Religion, to bear Arms, all were guaranteed.

When Napoleon saw that this new government would guarantee freedom to the people, he arranged a meeting with the soon to be King. A day after the meeting, Napoleon gave his present to the Edolian people. He announced that Greater Prussia would give 99% of its land in Edolia to His Royal Majesty, King Karl of Edolia. The land held by ZMI would remain in his posession, and the Port of Berg along with a few military bases would also remain in the hands of Greater Prussia, but beyond that, the entire state of Edolia was reunited.

Directly after Napoleon's announcement, the Parliament released the results of their preparation and the Parliament, not the King declared the Kingdom. This simple gesture said more than a little about how this new government would operate. Then, King Karl of Edolia made an address to Edolia and the world.

"The Scarlet Empire has fallen, but the Scarlet Kingdom has risen." he began. "The Edolia of old was proud, but it was weak else it would not have fallen. The Edolia of today is proud as well as strong. We are reunited. Now is the time for the return of peace and tranquility. Some of you may hate and may fear the Prussians...but I say that it need not be so. The world as we know it has changed. Though it will never be clear to me the reason why Greater Prussia attacked our nation..." he said in an obvious swipe to the Empire, "The truth is that Greater Prussia has done more to advance this nation in the aftermath than any of our allies ever had before it OR after it. The fact the economy of Edolia, though weakened, is growing despite our defeat is a testament to the work that has gone forth. It is truly a testament to the inconstancy of our allies that not a one raised a finger to help us in our time of need, aside from Hogsweat who raised their armies out of sheer greed."

"I am not a man who will feed my people empty sloagans and continue to walk down diplomatic dead ends. I will give my honest assessment of matters, and I believe I have done so. I am angry that we were attacked, but I also recognize that perhaps our only friend that we have as we forge a new path for ourselves is the Empire. We will pursue a friendship with Greater Prussia, but we will do it on OUR terms, and not Napoleon's."

"I am sure that I have angered some of you, and I am sure that many of you do not agree with all that I say. This is fine. I trust that you will all voice your opinion through your freely and fairly elected representatives. Edolia is a new nation, and I am a new ruler. In time we will be firmly on our feet, but for now let us try to get on them."

The new King had set down a position that was far from expected, but upon analysis, the most rational thing that could be done. He had shown the world that he was not an Imperial puppet, and at the same time had thumbed his nose at the Scarlet Empire's former allies who had abandoned her. He was more friendly than not towards Napoleon, but he was far from cuddly. This was a man who showed that he cared only for what was best for Edolia and now what was best for Greater Prussia, or even for Edolia's former allies. Though there was still great political unrest and disagreement within the Kingdom, Karl's message of Edolia first above all else resonated deeply with them and even if some may have disagreed with some of his policies, they would stand by him in a defense of their country.

OOC: I suppose I might actually have to get involved. Dang.

*Berg, Edolia: HQ Imperial Army of Edolia*

"Any progress?" General Hugo Franck asked the Colonel in Charge of coordinating the withdrawal from Blatterschpitt City and the outlying areas.

"Half way there." grumbled the Colonel as he took another sip of coffee. "I haven't been to sleep in two days, and an Armoured Battalion from 5th Brigade decided to get a third of their supply train stuck in the mud."

"What year is this, 1860? How'd they manage that!?" exclaimed a bewildered General Franck.

"Some bumblef*ck thought it would be a good idea to take an unpaved side road to bypass a jam up ahead. I thought this was the Imperial Guard not the Imperial Jack*ss Brigade!" then the phone rang, greatly startling the Colonel.

"Get some sleep." General Franck ordered.

"Aye."

There had been a general withdrawal of all troops in Blatterschpitt City to an Imperial Base about 20 miles south of the city. There remained a very small delegation of Imperial Guardsmen in Ceremonial attire who were in charge of protecting Marechal Kesling, the commander of the Army of Edolia, who would personally hand over the keys of the city to the new King who was scheduled to arrive shortly.

All across Prussian-held Edolia there were similar withdrawals. The troops withdrew to 15 strategically placed bases. The King was welcome to, and probably would renegociate the number and location of the bases in the future, but for now this would have to do. The bulk of the troops in the west withdrew to the new Imperial nerve centre in the Imperial City of Berg.

The Army of Edolia numbered some 2 million in total. 100,000 were stationed on the Scarlet Channel Islands which continued to remain Imperial land. About 500,000 were stationed in Berg and the rest dispersed somewhat evenly throughout the 15 bases. There was a base near every majour city and for every large expanse where there wasnt a majour city, a base was put there.

The Imperial Guard itself wasn't an enormous force, and this represented the largest deployment of it in the world. The Emperor however, had announced sweeping changes to the military structure. The numbers of the Imperial Guard Worldwide were capped at 7 million while a new force of 25 million was slowly being raised from all accross the Empire and fittingly title Le Grande Armee. These weren't elite troops as the Imperial Guard were, but they were experianced enough to stand toe to toe with any other regular army in the world. In the beginning their function would be two-fold: replace Imperial Guard units on Garison duty and free them for combat duty and reinforce the Imperial Guard in strategic areas.

For now, it wasn't necessary to have enormous Imperial Guard numbers in Edolia. With Imperial funds, Edolia was able to pose enough of a threat to dissuade idle minds from contemplating an attack, and should one come, the Guard were ready to fight as well.

It was yet to be seen how the Royal Army of Edolia would perform in battle...just like everything else in the entire country it was one great unknown

OOC: Rudolph, not Karl

IC: Rudolph von Blattershpitt was no communist, of course. He hated them. The communists drove him and his family out of Edolia, letting an illegitimate heir on the trone. Or, at least his family said so. His father and grandfather, forced to suffer between the rude, uneducate scum of West Axackal! Rudolph hated Allaneans as well - they were not up to par with any of his standards of up-breeding. But of course, right now, Rudolph’s beliefs didn’t matter much. Rudolph von Blattershpitt was first and foremost a statesman. And that meant he would do whatever it took to secure power for himself and for Edolia.

As the unmarked black limousine - he took care to assure it was not of Allanean make - carried him from the Imperial lands in the North to Edolia in the South, Rudolph raised his cellular phone and made his first call. It was to the Red Flag Party headquarters. "Hello. This is Rudolph von Blatterspitt… Emperor of the Scarlet Empire." The man on the other end of the line shuddered - the other line of the Blattershpitt house was feared among Edolian Communists. Rumours had it that during the reign of his grandfather, the streets flowed with Communist blood. It was not true - but they did believe it. "What… what do you want?" - asked the Red Flag activist. "The same thing you do, comrade." - sneered the Emperor - "I want Edolia to be free. You know, without internal strength, we will be crushed - the Hogsweatian Stalinists in the South and the Greater Prussians to our North will destroy us. We need to be strong.". The Communist leader had caught up to the game within seconds - "What should we do, your Majesty?"

He is already calling me ‘Your Majesty’… excellent. - ‘Well, first of all, we need to restore the Republic-era welfare state. I want to put you in charge of that. Second, we need to restore Edolia’s status as the opium basket of Haven." - he shuddered internally… he was morally opposed to the drug trade, but he understood that for many Edolians, it was their only source of revenue. "This will be the job of someone from the Freedom Party….well, the crux of it is, as I am returning to power, I want a popular unity government. Each group has something to do for the freedom of Edolia and I want each of them to do that something."

* * *

The Imperial Summer Palace, Marxburg, Edolia

{TRANSMISSION TYPE: Open to All Haven Nations
{FROM: Emperor Rudolph von Blattershpitt, Scarlet Empire of Edolia
{TO: All Haven Leaders
{SUBJECT: A free Edolia in a safe Haven}

My friends! I know already that under the treaty that ended the war in North Haven, you have provided guarantees that the independent parts of the Edolian Empire remain independent. I would like, in the name of the Edolian Empire, to ask each and every one of you to provide me, now, a guarantee of peace. We seek not to retrieve any lands from the Prussians - if not for the errors of my cousin, they would still be in our hands. We seek only peace. Promise us, that no Hogsweatian or Prussian troops shall cross our borders. Promise us that our fields may flourish without the fear of our crops being crushed by foreign tank treads. Promise us peace.

Tower of Command
Isle of the Ravenspire, North Haven

"Lord Commander, I have a message from the Hogsweatians," announced a man, name unknown.

Riddick took the message, and grinned when he read of the overwhelming support from Hogsweat. It was comforting to know that there were others with the same, or similar ambitions. At least they held their armies strong, and with cooporation might be enough to seize of that which had been the former Edolia. Prussians were strong, and still are - not to be underestimated. And with that in mind, he pondered what might be of the outcome of any war with them.

"Please, let me be in peace," he ordered the man, who left immediatly on command.

Sitting, Riddick leaned back into his chair and carefully palmed his hands together. Thinking, thinking. Soon, he would send his response to that of Hogsweat. But until then he had another letter to address. From the Edolians - or that which of the Prussians were overseeing. His response would be... interesting.

{Open Transmission}
{TRANSMISSION TYPE: Open, Diplomatic Broadcast}
{FROM: Lord Commander Riddick von Hanskoff, Isle of the Ravenspire}
{TO: Open, Diplomatic Broadcast}
{SUBJECT: N/A}

Emperor Rudolph von Blattershpitt, Scarlet Empire of Edolia,

I do hear your call. Although I must say that we will never seize anything from the people of Edolia. Like you, I am more than interested in watching a Free State of Edolia arise from what has been destroyed, I can guarentee that with my word. That said, you must understand my policy of contempt for formal treaties of sorts. Although we might come to some kind of agreement. Contact me in future should you need to.

--- Lord Commander Riddick von Hanskoff
Isle of the Ravenspire
{Close Transmission}

~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~

{Open Transmission}
{TRANSMISSION TYPE: Secure Channels}
{FROM: Lord Commander Riddick von Hanskoff, Isle of the Ravenspire}
{TO: Field Marshall Alissa May, Hogsweat}
{SUBJECT: Re:}

Your offer of a meeting in person is more than appealing, although I mustnt due to a few private reasons. I will be contacting you via other methods extremely soon, so that we might discuss the matter of tactics, et cetera, et cetera.

--- Lord Commander Riddick von Hanskoff
Isle of the Ravenspire
{Close Transmission}

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v42/allanea/trekkieinfantry.png

Confederate Tag.

Bump?

Tower of Command
Isle of the Ravenspire

Watching, just watching. This is what Riddick did in his spare time from the height of his tower. All over the island, the military machine had been prepping, and the cogs of battle had been turning into an everlasting scream of mechanical work. Everything had almost been made ready, although still time would pass. He had made the order fairly specific - 'Keep the preparations as silent as possible, make it unobvious. When you are ready, come see me for more.'

And although that time wasnt now, it would come soon. Besides, he had time to kill until Napoleon's ceremony. His head would be mine, and those bastard Prussians would suffer the concequences of their illegal forced-hand over the former leadership of Edolia. They might have given them back their land, but their government was still just the puppet they had always been, under the formal control of their forces.

Waiting was an asset, for now.

In the office of Rudolph von Blattershpitt, Imperial Palace, Brlattesplitt-city


‘Emperor, we have a problem!’- blurted out a secretary as he ran in. The Edolians were still not used to the restoration of the monarchy. Rudolph smiled as he raised his head. He has dreamt of being addressed that way all of his life. ‘Okay. What happened, my friend?’

‘Emperor, the Communists.. the Red Flag Party… they wish you to restart the anti-religious advertisements and campaigns… you know, everything.’

Rudolph shrugged. ‘I can’t. I’m not one of them , remember? Besides, the Prussians would not be pleased?’

‘Emperor… there’s hundreds of them protesting outside the Palace… Maybe more…’

He stopped. He could concede to them - only partly - to shut them up. The Prussians? He’d deal with them. Edolia was an independent nation again - and he would prove it to his people. This could be an excellent opportunity.

‘Fine. Restart the advertisements. But only that, you hear me? None of the other stuff so far.’

‘Yes, Emperor.’

Broadcast Across the Nation
From an Unknown Source, Within Edolia

It wasnt a strong connection to the outside world, but it was enough for everyone to understand. Thousands, perhaps millions would be listening to the station which had established itself somewhere in the mountains. It was hidden, not even the public knew its exact location, or who owned the station that sent its message of truth.

"... and I dare suggest it today friends, fellow Edolians, that we are still under the influence of those bastard Prussians. Remember brothers, they are the supporters of Allanea, who killed perhaps hundreds of thousands of your friends and family. Do not believe their lies, do not believe their god-aweful statements. Do you remember the dream this nation had held, before the problems began to come? Do you remember the freedoms we once held, do you remember this glorious, respectable state we had held? Friends, I cry out to you from the valley of my heart - do you not want to see a true, free Edolia?

For some of you, you might disagree. And to that I say - you are fine. But please consider firstly the very fact that this government borne have taken on almost the exact same policies, enacted the same laws, even promoted religion to infiltrate the very ranks of this state. I cry freedom for the masses, from the puppet government here, I cry freedom for Edolia. Relive the dream once established, and take power unto yourselves..."

The advertisement was heard by some. By many, even. It was not too different by advertisements by the Red Flag Party, the Socialism Now! Party, and the Freedom party. At first, it has fallen on good ears. The Edolians were fiercely anti-religious, and suspicious of the new Emperor. The advertisement was heard again - after the Emperor ordered the release of the first series of anti-religious advertisements, on TV and radio. After the Edolians have seen, again, the familiar mocking images of people in their churches, and the phrases ‘Wouldn’t you rather be having sex?’ that followed it, they began to laugh at the accusation that Blattershpitt was ‘promoting’ Christianity. The Christians, of course, were outraged. But so far, there were not so many of them. So far….

In the meanwhile, the Emperor of Edolia wrote another letter, now to Riddick himself, requesting a meeting. How it would be received remained to be seen.

OOC:Can somebody give me an OOC account of what happand?

*Blatterschplitt City, Edolia*

A black car of unidentifiable make rode down the streets towards the Capitol building that Emperor Rudolph was using for his office and Residence. It had two small car flags on the front, one was the flag of Greater Prussia, the other the flag that indicated a Marechal de l'Empire was riding within.

Escorted by Edolian Police as well as Imperial Guardsmen, Marechal Gerhardt Kesling, the Commader of the Greater Prussian Imperial Army of Edolia was off to see Emperor Rudolph.

The column pulled up infront of the Capitol. Immediately the Imperial Guard began forming a square around the Marechal's automobile. As Kesling stepped out of the Car, the square tightened to surround him and the company proceeded into the Capitol building.

When the infantry square opened, Marechal Kesling was approached by a couple of diplomats who's hands he shook. Not much for wasting time, Kesling said directly, "I wish to see the Emperor."

With relatively little haste, the Marechal, adorned in his military best, was conducted into the Emperor's Recieving Room where Rudolph was waiting.

"Your Highness." Kesling bowed in a rather courtly manner. "I bring word from Emperor Napoleon."

"Sit down." Rudolph motioned the Marechal to a chair right infront of his.

"Highness, the Emperor wishes me to express his deepest concerne about the recent actions of your government in regards to anti-religious advertizements. While we both know that, confidentally, the Emperor couldn't care less about what you do in regards to religion...there is still quite a powerful Old Guard in Prussia that is quite unpleased at these developments. I would also contend that this action by your government, though not necessarily defying the conditions by which we granted the rest of the land to you, it certainly goes against the spirit of them. You were required to not only protect the right of free speech but the right of the people to practice whatever religion they wished...even if that means none...but your government shouldn't get in the business of trying to destroy religion. It is unethical and the Emperor kindly asks that you cease the broadcast of these messages...and as for the anti government propaganda...he reccomends highly that you do nothing to disturb them as they have a right to their freedom of speech...unless they don't have a radio license."

Jefferson Island, Haven Straights

As the fighter-planes from Atlantic-Island refuelled overhead as they transited towards Yurka-City, the Nine Justices Battlegroup has just exited harbour, going full steam ahead towards the warm Yurkan ports. Forwards came their flagship, the CSS Justice William Rehnquist, the decks cleaned to a shine, waves beating against her proud hull. To her left and right, on went CSS Justice Antonin Scalia and CSS Justice Clarence Thomas, their cannon bright and solemn in the rays of the morning sun, as symbols of truth and honesty. It seemed that the ships would not perish - could not perish - until the day the sea itself ran dry beneath them. Perhaps on that day they, they would stand still on the sea bottom as monuments to the best in mankind.

And there were more - six more that followed - CSS Justice John Roberts and the rest of the famous nine-ship battlegroup. Sailors in military grey rushed to and fro on the decks, the very image of military discipline. And from the masts, the Allanean flag flew proud and high, two diagonal stripes of blue standing out proudly against the red - a symbol that refuse to surrender or die. It meant, to every prisoner in Kriegograd, labor camps, to every draftee in Hogsweat’s armies, that freedom, too, would not surrender and die - not before tyranny would, anyway.

OOC: Findan, Others, A General Overview...

For some time, the United Socialist Republics of Edolia had been the cornerstone of stability of relations within the region of Haven. They had established several of the region's facilities et cetera, and were considered friendly on the international stage to most who came across them. Edolia had fallen into some civil disturbance as a result of the death of their leader, and eventually the alliance / region of Greater Prussia came in and invaded that nation - Edolia. Ever since, they have been holding an occupation over the people of Edolia until recently when they had *given* the land back to the *people*. In the meantime, ICly many would dispute how independant this Prussian-created government would be, because of their influence over the leader, and much of the system's values.

In future, this roleplay is set to turn into an invasion of Edolia by a side of coalitioned forces, whereby we wish to free Edolia from Prussian maintained presense, and influence they might hold over the country. Eventually, we aim to establish Edolia as the former state it was. Do note however, that for OOC reference the player of Edolia has since stopped playing the game - many of us still maintain recognition of the Edolian State out of respect.

{Open Transmission}
{TRANSMISSION TYPE: Diplomatic, Open Broadcast}
{FROM: Lord Commander Riddick von Hanskoff, Isle of the Ravenspire}
{TO: Edolia}
{SUBJECT: Re:}

I am certainly interested in meeting with you. You are free to travel here to the Isle, and upon your arrival I will have a team escort you to the tower for conversation.

--- Lord Commander Riddick von Hanskoff
Isle of the Ravenspire
{Close Transmission}

Blatterschplitt City, Edolia

Suddenly, Rudolph von Blattersphitt leants forward, his face beginning to assume a tint of red. Perhapse Kesling didn’t feel it yet, but something more important was at stake then some advertisements in the Edolian media - no matter what their content. Listen well, Marechal! Greater Prussia is a wonderful nation, and her Emperor a man of honor. You could have destroyed the nation and you did not. You could have laid waste to my cousin’s every work, and you did not. You protect us, while you could have ruined us. But still, you do not own the country.

You think that your Emperor’s authority is from the Lord. It may be true. And you say my advertisements are an offense to common sense, and they are that. But no matter how depraved their message or how stupid it is, I, and not Napoleon the Fourth, rule Edolia! It is to Edolia’s people that Edolia belongs! You think the day have come when Napoleon can sent his servants to the Palace of the House of Blatteshpitt and tell the heir of my line what to do with his throne? Listen to me: I owe you favors. I owe you no allegiance. I am the heir of a line that have ruled Edolia before the depraved, illiterate scum of Allanea arrived to the blessed shores of Haven. You tell Napoleon that. And remeber I still have Scarlet Guards left."

A day later, Rudolph was on his way to Ravenspire.

The Marechal was shocked to say the least. "You may have Scarlet Guards left...but we have many more Imperial Guard..." the Marechal finally stated defiantly as he rose from his chair and gathered his effects. "Your Highness, I respect your right to rule Edolia...but I also have enough respect for your people to oppose this action and I hope you will realize the error you have made."

Emperor Rudolph moved his finger slightly and the attendant manning the door opened it. Rudolph looked angrily at Kesling and demanded, "Leave or you will be escorted off the premises."

The insult to the Marechal was so deep that he was on the verge of ordering the entire Palace burned to the ground right there...but he was not a stupid man. Kesling and his Imperial Guardsmen made their way out and returned by the end of the day to Gerberg where Kesling contacted Napoleon.

"Your Highness," Kesling said as Napoleon's image came up on the videophone. "We have a bit of an unexpected problem."

"Indeed?"

"Indeed. Rudolph has refused your request, and further insulted me and threatened the Empire." Kesling seemed almost hesitant to utter the last part of the sentence. It was well known that Napoleon was a proud leader and would not take insult lightly.

However, the Emperor remained calm. "Buy time on Edolian television and run ads promoting Christianity and opposing Communist influences."

"Yes, sire." Kesling knew this was just the beginning.

"We aren't going to reinforce Edolia, that would send all of Haven into a tailspin. We are, however going to double, maybe triple the Garison of Hestonia. Should the Edolian Army begin attacking our bases, we will transfer those troops."

"Indeed, I will make the arrangements."

Napoleon's eyes grew more serious. "I suppose this is the price of absolute freedom...complete destruction of all societal standards. Remember that Kesling." The screen then went black.
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The Army of Hestonia Comprising 500,000 Imperial Guard and 100,000 AVF troops was reinforced. The Army of Burgundy, as it was nolonger necessary to keep the peace in the Kingdom of Burgundy, was transferred to Hestonia. It would take nearly a month to complete the transfer as the entire 1,000,000 man Army was being transferred. The ships stopped at the very tip of Edolia and sailed down through the straits into Hestonian ports.

The Grande Armee that Napoleon had been raising in Reichskamphen was nowhere near ready for the field. Projected to be 20 million strong force at the time of its completion, perhaps a few years away, it was now arouond 700,000 strong. They were regular army troops, not the same caliber as the Imperial Guard...but still tough men. If it came down to it, they would be thrown into the fray, but the Emperor wasn't ready to risk it.

A few days later the Emperor changed his mind, and decided to do one relatively small reinforcement in Edolia. He was removing two armoured Brigades, each about 16,000 strong and replacing them with the much talked about, 50,000 strong Sola Fide Division. It ammounted to an increase of 18,000 troops and was done mostly for practical purposes as those two brigades hadn't been rotated out since the beginning of the Edolian-Prussian War and needed a rest while Sola Fide had recouperated for several months.

Back in Prussia, plans were already in place for another grande invasion, this time of the Empire member Crimmond who had fallen into darkness. The navies were preparing to set sail and the troops were ready and brimming with confidence...little did they know that another war would put an end to their plans.

It wasnt long before Rudolph von Blattersphitt found himself standing before Riddick, as he recieved his cold welcome. Not given so much a welcome team, it was more of a team of two whom had met him at the airport - not that this was non-standard. In fact there hadnt been any real visitors to the Isle since forever ago, so whether this was lower than normal would be much more of speculation than anything else. In the meantime, now he stood high above the Isle in the main Tower of Command.

Riddick smiled at him coldly, "You wanted to see me?"